Who Is LION BABE? 4 Things You Should Know About This Neo-Soul Duo
If you tuned in to the Soul Train Music Awards on Sunday night, you may have noticed a few unfamiliar faces hitting the stage belting out beautiful melodies and reminding us that R&B does indeed touch the soul. One memorable act was the neo-soul duo Lion Babe, who took to the Centric Certified Stage to perform their single "Impossible".
And it was everything!
Lion Babe frontwoman Jillian Hervey whipped her honey-blonde mane and kicked her sky high platforms across the stage, while producer Lucas Goodman backed his home girl with the right keys and beats. It was definitely a jam-worthy moment.
The duo first hit the scene in 2012 with their hit "Treat Me Like Fire", which has more than 1 million views on Vevo. Since then, Jillian and Lucas have been making quite an impact in music overseas, while recently dropping their Pharrell Williams collaboration "Wonder Woman".
If you're unfamiliar with the group, let me catch you up on the neo-soul duo that will have you listening to their whole Spotify catalog.
1. Jillian is the daughter of actress Vanessa Williams.
Even though Jillian is the daughter of singer/actress Vanessa Williams, Jillian said that she had never actually thought of making music until after she met her producer. She told Hunger TV:
"...My whole family is musical – both my grandparents were music teachers, so it was mandatory to be in chorus, and play an instrument, and be in band. And then there was just always music in the house, and a lot of people around us that were also musicians and stuff...So I think it was just being in that whole atmosphere. It definitely started in the home, but I didn't ever really think about making music until I met Lucas."
2. He's the "Lion," she's the "Babe."
The name stems from Lucas' zodiac sign (Leo), and Jillian's hairstyle (Babe). Jillian's curls are crazy sexy!
3. Their first hit "Treat Me Like Fire" is fire.
Seriously, their debut song is ill. Check out Jillian swinging her honey blonde curls across the screen, and Lucas turning up the beat in the video!
4. The duo got their start when Lucas made dance songs for Jillian.
The two actually met when they were still students. Jillian originally wanted to be a dancer, but after connecting with Lucas, her life started to take a different direction. According to Interview,
Hervey, who studied dance at the [Eugene Lang] New School, and Goodman, who studied music at Northeastern, met at a college party. Goodman was playing songs he produced in his dorm room and Hervey wandered over, wanting to know more. After the dorm room introduction, they began collaborating—first with Goodman producing music for Hervey's dance performances and now, full fledged songs.
5. Lion Bane has opened for Childish Gambino, and has already worked with some heavy hitters.
Their sound and delivery is what definitely sets them apart in the neo-soul landscape. It's no wonder why they've already opened and worked with Childish Gambino, Mark Ronson, and Pharrell Williams.
Get into this group by checking out "Don't Break My Heart" and their acclaimed song "Wonder Woman" featuring Pharrell Williams below!
Are you feeling Lion Babe?
Featured image via Giphy
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage